U.S. patent application number 15/725301 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-26 for display device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Kenji ARITA.
Application Number | 20180113352 15/725301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61969587 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180113352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARITA; Kenji |
April 26, 2018 |
DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A display device includes: a display panel; a protective member
that is disposed on a display surface side of the display panel,
and that has an end portion extending outward from an end portion
of the display panel; a mold frame that is disposed on an opposite
side to the display surface of the display panel, and that
constitutes at least a side surface of a backlight except a back
surface of the backlight; and a flange frame that is disposed
outside the mold frame, and that includes a sidewall portion fixed
to the mold frame, and a flange portion that is a peripheral
portion extending outward from an upper end portion of the sidewall
portion, the flange portion being fixed to a peripheral portion of
the protective member.
Inventors: |
ARITA; Kenji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
61969587 |
Appl. No.: |
15/725301 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/0055 20130101;
G06F 2203/04103 20130101; G02F 2001/133317 20130101; G02F
2001/133325 20130101; G02F 2201/46 20130101; G06F 2203/04112
20130101; G02F 1/133308 20130101; G02F 2001/13332 20130101; G02B
6/0088 20130101; G06F 3/044 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; G02F
2201/465 20130101; G02F 1/13338 20130101; G02B 6/0083 20130101;
G02F 2001/133311 20130101; G02F 2001/133314 20130101; G02F 2201/503
20130101; G02F 2201/50 20130101; G02F 1/13439 20130101; G02F
2001/133322 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1333 20060101
G02F001/1333; F21V 8/00 20060101 F21V008/00; G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 26, 2016 |
JP |
2016-209499 |
Claims
1. A display device comprising: a display panel; a protective
member that is disposed on a display surface side of said display
panel, and has an end portion extending outward from an end portion
of said display panel; a first frame that is disposed on an
opposite side to said display surface of said display panel, and
constitutes at least a side surface of a backlight except a back
surface of said backlight; and a second frame that is disposed
outside said first frame, and includes a sidewall portion fixed to
said first frame or in contact with said first frame, and a
peripheral portion extending outward from an upper end portion of
said sidewall portion, said peripheral portion being fixed to a
peripheral portion of said protective member.
2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a fitting tab
is provided at a portion in said first frame, said portion facing
said sidewall portion of said second frame, a fitting hole is
provided in said sidewall portion of said second frame to allow
said fitting tab to be fitted into said fitting hole, and said
fitting tab is fitted into said fitting hole to fix said second
frame to said first frame.
3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein a protrusion
for positioning is provided in a periphery of said fitting tab in
said first frame, and a hole is provided in a periphery of said
fitting hole in said second frame to allow said protrusion to be
inserted into said hole.
4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said second
frame has a thickness 1.5 or more times a thickness of said first
frame.
5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said second
frame is formed of metal by mold fabrication.
6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said second
frame is molded by inserting metal into a resin molding.
7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a contact
portion is provided in a bottom wall portion extending inward from
a lower end portion of said sidewall portion of said second frame
so that positioning of said first frame is performed by bringing a
lower end portion of said first frame into contact with said
contact portion.
8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a recessed
portion is provided at a portion in said first frame, said portion
facing said sidewall portion of said second frame, said sidewall
portion is formed so as to be able to come into contact with said
recessed portion, a screw hole is provided at a portion in said
second frame, said portion being on an opposite side to said
display surface, and a screw is screwed into said screw hole from
said opposite side to said display surface to fix said display
device to a member to be attached while said sidewall portion is in
contact with said recessed portion.
9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a recessed
portion is provided at a portion in said first frame, said portion
facing said sidewall portion of said second frame, said sidewall
portion is formed so as to be able to come into contact with said
recessed portion, a screw hole is provided in an outer peripheral
portion of said second frame, and a screw is screwed into said
screw hole from an outer peripheral portion side of said second
frame to fix said display device to a member to be attached while
said sidewall portion is in contact with said recessed portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a display device.
Description of the Background Art
[0002] As information electronic apparatuses have been widely used
in recent years, display devices each including a display panel
provided in its front surface with a protective member with
solidity are widely used. A display apparatus with a display device
uses a display panel of the display device that is bonded
integrally with a protective member by glass bonding using
transparent resin or the like in many cases. This is because of the
following two reasons. The first reason is that deterioration in
visibility due to surface reflection of light from outside needs to
be prevented. The second reason is that a display device needs to
be protected from shock from outside, and exposure to water and
dust, for example. As a display device for in-vehicle application,
a display device with a curved display panel used to improve
vehicle interior space in design is coming into widespread use.
[0003] Here, a case of integrating a display panel of a display
device and a protective member with each other is considered. In
this case, the protective member needs to be larger in size than
the display panel to improve the display device in design, so that
there is required a frame capable of firmly fixing the protective
member and the display panel to each other without deforming the
protective member.
[0004] For example, PCT international Publication No. WO2013/140463
discloses an electronic apparatus with structure in which a
reinforcement rib is provided along from a side surface of a mold
frame to a surface of a flange portion, opposite to a surface to be
bonded to a protection plate, to increase rigidity of the flange
portion, thereby increasing rigidity of the protection plate.
[0005] Unfortunately, when the art described in PCT International
Publication No. WO2013/140463 is used in a display device including
a curved display panel, a warp or a deformation is liable to occur
as compared with a display panel including members each of which is
not formed in a curved shape because all members are formed in a
curved shape, and thus it is difficult to form each of the members
with high accuracy. In addition, when a protective member formed in
a curved shape and a backlight are fixed to each other with a joint
member, peel stress occurs the joint member by influence of a warp
or a deformation of the protective member. This causes a problem in
that the fixed protective member and backlight are unfixed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
display device in which a protective member and a backlight can be
firmly fixed to each other.
[0007] A display device according to the present invention includes
a display panel, a protective member, a first frame, and a second
frame. The protective member is disposed on a display surface side
of the display panel, and has an end portion extending outward from
an end portion of the display panel. The first frame is disposed on
an opposite side to a display surface of the display panel, and
constitutes at least a side surface of a backlight except a back
surface of the backlight. The second frame is disposed outside the
first frame, and includes a sidewall portion fixed to the first
frame or in contact with the first frame, and a peripheral portion
extending outward from an upper end portion of the sidewall
portion, the peripheral portion being fixed to a peripheral portion
of the protective member.
[0008] The display device includes: the display panel; the
protective member that is disposed on the display surface side of
the display panel, and that has the end portion extending outward
from the end portion of the display panel; the first frame that is
disposed on the opposite side to the display surface of the display
panel, and that constitutes at least the side surface of the
backlight except the back surface of the backlight; and the second
frame that is disposed outside the first frame, and that includes
the sidewall portion fixed to the first frame or in contact with
the first frame, and the peripheral portion extending outward from
the upper end portion of the sidewall portion, the peripheral
portion being fixed to the peripheral portion of the protective
member.
[0009] Thus, the first frame constituting at least the side surface
of the backlight except the back surface of the backlight is held
by the second frame, and the protective member is fixed to the
second frame, so that a warp and a deformation of the protective
member can be reduced. This enables the protective member and the
backlight to be firmly fixed.
[0010] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of the present invention when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a display device according to
a first preferred embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a
backlight is separated in the display device according to the first
preferred embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a display device according to
a second preferred embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a
backlight is separated from a flange frame in the display device
according to the second preferred embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a display device according to
a third preferred embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a state before a
screw is attached to a display device according to a first
modification of the third preferred embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a state before a
screw is attached to a display device according to a second
modification of the third preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a display device
according to a technical premise; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Technical Premise
[0020] First, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a display device 200
according to a technical premise will be described. FIG. 8 is an
exploded perspective view of the display device 200 according to
the technical premise, and FIG. 9 is s sectional view taken along
line A-A of FIG. 8. The display device 200 according to the
technical premise is described as a case where a protective member
1 is increased in size, a mold frame 6 that can fix the protective
member 1 and the display panel 3 to each other, and a display panel
3 with a curved screen, are provided, and the structure of PCT
International Publication No. WO2013/140463 is used to increase
rigidity of the protective member 1. For simplification of a
drawing, every member in FIG. 9 is not illustrated in a curved
shape.
[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the display device 200
includes the display panel 3, the protective member 1, and a
backlight 4. The protective member 1 is disposed on a display
surface 3a side of the display panel 3. The protective member 1 is
formed not only in a rectangular shape like the display panel 3,
but also in a shape with an end portion extending outward from an
end portion of the display panel 3. More specifically, a contour of
the protective member 1 in plan view is made larger than a contour
of the display panel 3 in plan view. In a brief description of
fixing structure between the protective member 1 and the display
panel 3, the protective member 1 and the display panel 3 are fixed
to each other through a first adhesive 2. While no touch panel is
illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a touch panel can be fixed between
the protective member 1 and the display panel 3 through the first
adhesive 2.
[0022] The backlight 4 is disposed on an opposite side to a display
surface 3a of the display panel 3, or on a back surface side of the
display panel 3. The backlight 4 includes a joint member 5, a mold
frame 6, a cushion 7, an optical sheet 8, a light guide plate 9, a
reflection sheet 10, a light source 11, and a rear frame 12. The
rear frame 12 is used to house the optical sheet 8, the light guide
plate 9, and the reflection sheet 10. The mold frame 6 is used to
assemble and fix the optical sheet 8, the light guide plate 9, and
the reflection sheet 10 to the rear frame 12 while they are housed
in the rear frame 12.
[0023] The rear frame 12 includes a bottom wall portion 12a, a
sidewall portion 12b, and a fitting tab 12c. The bottom all portion
12a extends inward from a lower end portion of the sidewall portion
12b, and is formed in a shape and a size to allow a back surface of
the reflection sheet 10 constituting a part of the backlight 4 to
be covered. More specifically, the bottom wall portion 12a is
formed in a rectangular shape. In addition, a contour of the bottom
wall portion 12a in plan view is made larger than a contour of the
reflection sheet 10 in plan view. The fitting tab 12c is provided
in the sidewall portion 12b of the rear frame 12.
[0024] The mold frame 6 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and
includes a sidewall portion 6a, a flange portion 6b, a flange
portion 6c, a fitting hole 6d, and a reinforcement rib 6e. The mold
frame 6 is disposed on a display surface 3a side of the rear frame
12. The sidewall portion 6a of the mold frame 6 is provided with
the fitting hole 6d into which the fitting tab 12c of the rear
frame 12 can be fitted. When the fitting tab 12c of the rear frame
12 is fitted into the fitting hole 6d of the mold frame 6, the mold
frame 6 is fixed to the rear frame 12.
[0025] The sidewall portion 6a is provided at its upper end portion
with a flange portion 6b extending outward. The flange portion 6b
is fixed to the protective member 1 through the joint member 5. To
increase the mold frame 6 in rigidity, the reinforcement rib 6e is
provided along from an outer peripheral surface of the sidewall
portion 6a in the mold frame 6 to a lower surface of the flange
portion 6b. The sidewall portion 6a is provided with a flange
portion 6c extending inward below the flange portion 6b. The flange
portion 6c has a top surface on which the cushion 7 is disposed to
support the display panel 3.
[0026] Unfortunately, a warp or a deformation is liable to occur as
compared with a display panel including members each of which is
not formed in a curved shape because all members are formed in a
curved shape, and thus it is difficult to form each of the members
with high accuracy. In addition, when the protective member 1
formed in a curved shape and the backlight 4 are fixed to each
other with the joint member 5, peel stress occurs in the joint
member 5 by influence of a warp or a deformation of the protective
member 1. This causes a problem in that the fixed protective member
1 and backlight 4 are unfixed. A display device 100 according to a
first preferred embodiment solves the problem as described
above.
First Preferred Embodiment
[0027] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view
of a display device 100 according to the first preferred
embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 9 of the technical premise.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a backlight
40 is separated in the display device 100. In the first preferred
embodiment, the same component as that described in the technical
premise is designated as the same reference sign to eliminate
duplicated description.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 100
includes a display panel 3, a protective member 1, and a backlight
40. The backlight 40 includes a joint member 5, a mold frame 16, a
cushion 7, an optical sheet 8, a light guide plate 9, a reflection
sheet 10, and a flange frame 14.
[0029] While there is no illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
backlight 40 includes a light source as with the technical premise.
In the description below, the optical sheet 8, the light guide
plate 9, the reflection sheet 10, and the light source each are
also referred to as a component of the backlight. First, each
member will be described in detail.
Display Panel
[0030] As the display panel 3, a plasma display panel, a liquid
crystal panel, or the like is available. The liquid crystal panel
applies birefringence of a liquid crystal, and includes: a first
base plate that is an insulation base plate such as glass on which
a coloring layer, a light-shielding layer, a counter electrode, and
the like are formed; and a second base plate that is an insulation
base plate such as glass on which a thin film transistor
(hereinafter referred to as a "TFT") to be a switching element, a
pixel electrode, and the like are formed. The display panel 3
further includes: a spacer to hold a distance between the first
base plate and the second base plate; a sealant to bond a counter
base plate and a TFT array base plate to each other; a liquid
crystal put in between the counter base plate and the TFT array
base plate; a sealant for an injection port for injecting the
liquid crystal; an oriented film configured to allow to orient the
liquid crystal; and a polarizing plate, for example.
Backlight
[0031] The backlight 4 includes at least a light source that emits
light, and the mold frame 16a that holds a light guide plate
through with light emitted from the light source is transmitted,
for example, and irradiates the display panel 3. In the display
device 100 of the present preferred embodiment, the backlight 4
irradiates the display panel 3 from a back surface side of the
display panel 3, the back surface being opposite to the display
surface 3a.
Mold Frame
[0032] The mold frame 16 as a first frame is disposed on an
opposite side to the display surface 3a of the display panel 3. The
mold frame 16 is formed of a resin molding.
[0033] The mold frame 16 constitutes at least a side surface of the
backlight 40 except a back surface of the backlight 40. More
specifically, the mold frame 16 is formed in a rectangular frame
shape. The mold frame 16 includes a sidewall portion 16a, a flange
portion 16b extending outward from an upper end portion of the
sidewall portion 16a, a flange portion 16c extending inward from
below the upper end portion of the sidewall portion 16a, a fitting
tab 16d, and a protrusion 16e for positioning. As described above,
the mold frame 16 constitutes the side surface and a front surface
of the backlight 40 with the sidewall portion 16a and the flange
portion 16c, respectively.
[0034] The fitting tab 16d is provided so as to project outward
from the sidewall portion 16a. The protrusion 16e is provided in
the periphery of the fitting tab 16d. More specifically, the
protrusion 16e is provided so as to protrude downward from the
flange portion 16b.
Touch Panel
[0035] The touch panel is used to convert information on a position
coordinate input by an operator into an electric signal by using a
circuit composed of a transparent electrode formed on a transparent
base plate. Then, the touch panel transmits the converted electric
signal to a control circuit being a terminal product through an
output wiring member connected to the touch panel.
[0036] While no touch panel is illustrated in the present preferred
embodiment, a touch panel of a projection capacity type is used in
many cases in the present preferred embodiment. The touch panel of
a projection capacity type detects a contact position with a
fingertip of an operator, or the like, as coordinate data. Then the
touch panel accurately detects a contact position with a fingertip
of an operator, or the like, by measuring a ratio of the amount of
electric currents flowing through a plurality of transparent
electrodes at the contact position and around there. As upper and
lower base plates constituting the touch panel, transparent glass
is available, for example.
Protective Member
[0037] The protective member 1 is formed in a rectangular shape as
with the touch panel and the display panel 3. The protective member
1 is disposed on a top surface of the touch panel or the display
panel 3 to prevent the touch panel and the display panel 3 from
receiving damage, deformation, abrasion, contamination, and the
like, due to pressurization or contact from the outside. The
protective member 1 is formed of almost transparent material such
as glass and plastic. In the present preferred embodiment, glass
with high strength, being less likely to deform, is used as the
protective member 1,
[0038] As described above, the protective member 1 is formed in a
shape such that its end portion extends outward from an end portion
of the display panel 3. In addition, the protective member 1 is
formed such that its thickness is more than a thickness of the
touch panel. Specifically, when the protective member 1 has a
thickness equal to or more than about twice a thickness of the
touch panel, deformation or breakage of the touch panel can be
avoided. In addition, printing or painting to a front surface or a
back surface of the protective member 1 enables the protective
member to further have a function of a design member.
Flange Frame
[0039] The flange frame 14 as a second frame holds the display
panel 3, the touch panel, components of the backlight 4, the
protective member 1, and the like. The flange frame 14 is formed of
a metal formed part. The flange frame 14 may be also formed of a
material containing metal other than the metal formed part. As the
metal, aluminum and magnesium are available, for example.
[0040] The flange frame 14 is disposed outside the mold frame 16.
The flange frame 14 includes a sidewall portion 14b, a bottom wall
portion 14a, a flange portion 14c, a fitting hole 14d, and a hole
14e. The bottom wall portion 14a is formed in a rectangular shape.
In addition the bottom wall portion 14a extends inward from a lower
end portion of the sidewall portion 14b, and is formed in a size to
allow a back surface of a component of the backlight 40 to be
covered. More specifically, a contour of the bottom wall portion
14a in plan view is made larger than a contour of the reflection
sheet 10 in plan view.
[0041] While the display device 200 according to the technical
premise includes the rear frame 12, the display device 100
according to the present preferred embodiment does not include the
rear frame 12. In the present preferred embodiment, the flange
frame 14 houses the optical sheet 8, the light guide plate 9, and
the reflection sheet 10.
[0042] The flange portion 14c is formed in a stepped portion in a
peripheral portion extending outward from an upper end portion of
the sidewall portion 14b.
[0043] The fitting hole 14d is provided at a portion in the
sidewall portion 14b, the portion facing the fitting tab 16d of the
mold frame 16, and the fitting tab 16d can be fitted into the
fitting hole 14d. The hole 14e is provided at a portion in a
peripheral portion of the flange frame 14, the portion facing the
protrusion 16e of the mold frame 16. This enables the protrusion
16e to be inserted into the hole 14e.
Adhesive
[0044] The first adhesive 2 is used to bond the display panel 3 and
the touch panel being a transparent member to each other. The
second adhesive (not illustrated) is used to bond the touch panel
and the protective member 1 to each other. The first adhesive 2 and
the second adhesive each have almost the same refractive index as
that of each of the display panel 3 and the touch panel, so that
reflection on a surface between the respective members is
eliminated to prevent deterioration in visibility due to surface
reflection of light from outside. In addition, the first adhesive 2
and the second adhesive protect the display device 100 from shock
from outside, and exposure to water and dust, for example. The
first adhesive 2 and the second adhesive each may be a sheet-like
adhesive, or may be a flowable adhesive that is used by being cured
by UV or heat, for example.
Joint Member
[0045] The joint member 5 is a double-sided tape or an adhesive,
and has a waterproof function and cushioning characteristics. In
addition, the joint member 5 may have a structure in which a
double-sided tape or an adhesive is applied to a cushioning member
with a waterproof function and cushioning characteristics. When
hardening resin or the like is used, adhesion increases as time
elapses, and thus adhesion of the joint member 5 can be further
improved. The joint member 5 can be used at a portion between the
backlight 40 and the protective member 1, or a portion between the
display panel 3 and the backlight 40, or can be used in both the
portions.
Display Device
[0046] Subsequently, characteristic structure in the present
preferred embodiment will be described in detail. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective member 1 is fixed to the display
panel 3 through the first adhesive 2. When the touch panel is
mounted, the touch panel is mounted between the protective member 1
and the display panel 3, and then the touch panel is fixed to the
protective member 1 through the first adhesive 2. In addition, the
touch panel is fixed to the display panel 3 through the second
adhesive disposed between the touch panel and the display panel 3.
Between the mold frame 16 and the flange frame 14, the optical
sheet 8, the light guide plate 9, the reflection sheet 10, and the
light source are housed.
[0047] In addition, the cushion 7 is fixed to a top surface of the
flange portion 16c of the mold frame 16, or a surface on a display
surface 3a side, through adhesive to protect the display panel 3 or
to prevent ingress of foreign material. The joint member 5 is
disposed to fix the protective member 1 and the backlight 40 to the
flange portion 14c of the flange frame 14.
[0048] Subsequently, the flange frame 14 will be described in
detail. The flange frame 14 is provided in its peripheral portion
with the hole 14e into which the protrusion 16e of the mold frame
16 is inserted. The protrusion 16e is inserted into the hole 14e to
perform positioning of the mold frame 16 and the flange frame 14 in
a crosswise direction in a paper-surface of each of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0049] The sidewall portion 14b of the flange frame 14 is provided
with the fitting hole 14d into which the fitting tab 16d of the
mold frame 16 is fitted. When the fitting tab 16d is fitted into
the fitting hole 14d, the flange frame 14 is fixed to the mold
frame 16 while positioning of the mold frame 16 and the flange
frame 14 in the vertical direction in the paper-surface of each of
FIGS. 1 and 2, or in the thickness direction of the backlight 40,
is performed.
[0050] While each of the fitting hole 14d, the hole 14e, the
fitting tab 16d, and the protrusion 16e, is disposed on all sides
in an outer peripheral portion of the backlight 40, the number of
fitting holes 14d, holes 14e, fitting tabs 16d, and protrusions
16e, disposed in each side is not limited. A plurality of fitting
holes 14d, holes 14e, fitting tabs 16d, and protrusions 16e needs
to be disposed in each side so as to resist use environment of the
display device 100. The use environment of the display device 100
includes vibration and shock that are applied to the display device
100 when the display device 100 is used.
[0051] To resist the use environment of the display device 100, a
thickness of the flange frame 14 needs to be 1.5 or more times a
thickness of the mold frame 16. For example, a thickness of the
flange frame 14 needs to be 1.5 mm or more with respect to a
thickness of 1.0 mm of the mold frame 16. The mold frame 16 is a
resin molding, and has low rigidity. Thus, when a metal molding is
used as the flange frame 14, the backlight 40 with high rigidity
can be fabricated. Alternatively, a resin frame molded by inserting
metal as the flange frame 14 is expected to have a similar
effect.
[0052] Subsequently, bonding of the protective member 1, the
display panel 3, and the backlight 4 will be simply described with
reference to FIG. 2. The protective member 1 and the display panel
3 are preliminarily fixed through the first adhesive 2 to fabricate
a display unit, and each of the backlight 40 and the display unit
is set in a fixture, or the like. Then, the protective member 1 and
the backlight 40 are fixed to each other through the joint member 5
to complete the display device 100.
[0053] As described above, the display device 100 according to the
first preferred embodiment includes: the display panel 3; the
protective member 1 that is disposed on the display surface 3a side
of the display panel 3, and that has the end portion extending
outward from the end portion of the display panel 3; the mold frame
16 that is disposed on an opposite side to the display surface 3a
of the display panel 3, and that constitutes at least the side
surface of the backlight 40 except the back surface of the
backlight 40; and the flange frame 14 that is disposed outside the
mold frame 16, and that includes the sidewall portion 14b fixed to
the mold frame 16, and the flange portion 14c that is a peripheral
portion extending outward from the upper end portion of the
sidewall portion 14b, the flange portion 14c being fixed to a
peripheral portion of the protective member 1.
[0054] Thus, the mold frame 16 constituting at least the side
surface of the backlight 40 except the back surface of the
backlight 40 is held by the flange frame 14, and the protective
member 1 is fixed to the flange frame 14, so that warp and
deformation of the protective member 1 can be reduced. This enables
the protective member 1 and the backlight 40 to be firmly
fixed.
[0055] While warp or deformation occurs in the display panel 3 to
cause display unevenness, the warp and deformation of the display
panel 3 can be reduced by reducing warp and deformation of the
protective member 1, thereby enabling display unevenness to be
reduced.
[0056] The fitting tab 16d is provided at a portion of the mold
frame 16, the portion facing the sidewall portion 14b of the flange
frame 14, and the fitting hole 14d into which the fitting tab 16d
can be fitted is provided in the sidewall portion 14b of the flange
frame 14, so that the flange frame 14 and the mold frame 16 are
fixed to each other by fitting the fitting tab 16d into the fitting
hole 14d.
[0057] Thus, the flange frame 14 can be fixed to the mold frame 16
while positioning of the mold frame 16 and the flange frame 14 in
the vertical direction in the paper-surface of each of FIGS. 1 and
2, or in the thickness direction of the backlight 40, is performed.
This enables the protective member 1 and the backlight 40 to be
firmly and accurately fixed.
[0058] The protrusion 16e for positioning is provided in the
periphery of the fitting tab 16d in the mold frame 16, and the hole
14e into which the protrusion 16e can be inserted is provided in
the periphery of the fitting hole 14d in flange frame 14, so that
positioning of the mold frame 16 and the flange frame 14 in the
crosswise direction in the paper-surface of each of FIGS. 1 and 2
can be performed. This enables the protective member 1 and the
backlight 40 to be firmly and accurately fixed.
[0059] The flange frame 14 has a thickness 1.5 or more times a
thickness of the mold frame 16, so that the flange frame 14 can
resist use environment of the display device 100 by increasing its
rigidity.
[0060] The flange frame 14 is formed of metal by mold fabrication,
so that the backlight 40 with high rigidity can be fabricated.
[0061] Alternatively, the flange frame 14 is molded by inserting
metal into a resin molding, so that the backlight 40 with high
rigidity can be fabricated as with that formed of metal by mold
fabrication.
Second Preferred Embodiment
[0062] Subsequently, a display device 100A according to a second
preferred embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a sectional view
of the display device 100A according to the second preferred
embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the display
device 100A in a state where a backlight 40A and a flange frame 24
are separated from each other. In the second preferred embodiment,
the same component as that described in the first preferred
embodiment is designated as the same reference sign to eliminate
duplicated description.
[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the display device 100A
includes a display panel 3, a protective member 1, and a backlight
40A. The backlight 40A includes a joint member 5, a mold frame 26
as a first frame, a cushion 7, an optical sheet 8, a light guide
plate 9, a reflection sheet 10, a light source (not illustrated), a
rear frame 12, and a flange frame 24 as a second frame.
[0064] The mold frame 26 constitutes at least a side surface of the
backlight 40A except a back surface of the backlight 40A. More
specifically, the mold frame 26 is formed in a rectangular frame
shape. In addition, the mold frame 26 includes a sidewall portion
26a, a flange portion 26b, a fitting hole 26c, and a fitting tab
26d. The flange portion 26b extends inward below an upper end
portion of the sidewall portion 26a. As described above, the mold
frame 16 constitutes the side surface and a front surface of the
backlight 40 with the sidewall portion 26a and the flange portion
26b, respectively.
[0065] The fitting hole 26c is provided at a portion in the
sidewall portion 26a, the portion facing the fitting tab 12c of the
rear frame 12, and the fitting tab 12c can be fitted into the
fitting hole 26c. The fitting tab 26d is provided in the periphery
of the fitting hole 26c in the sidewall portion 26a, and is more
specifically provided above the fitting hole 26c in the sidewall
portion 26a so as to project outward from the sidewall portion
26a.
[0066] The flange frame 24 holds the display panel 3, a touch
panel, components of the backlight 40A, the protective member 1,
and the like. The flange frame 24 is formed of a metal formed part.
The flange frame 24 may be also formed of a material containing
metal other than the metal formed part. As the metal, aluminum and
magnesium are available, for example.
[0067] The flange frame 24 is formed in a rectangular frame shape.
In addition, the flange frame 24 includes a sidewall portion 24a, a
bottom wall portion 24b, a flange portion 24c, and a fitting hole
24d. The bottom wall portion 24b slightly extends inward from a
lower end portion of the sidewall portion 24a. The bottom wall
portion 24b is formed in a rectangular frame shape as with the
sidewall portion 24a. The bottom wall portion 24b is provided on
its entire top surface with a contact portion 24e. The contact
portion 24e is formed in a plane shape so that a lower end portion
of the sidewall portion 26a of the mold frame 26 is brought into
contact with the contact portion 24e to enable positioning of the
mold frame 26.
[0068] The flange portion 24c is formed in a peripheral portion
extending outward from an upper end portion of the sidewall portion
24a. The fitting hole 24d is provided at a portion in the sidewall
portion 24a, the portion facing the fitting tab 26d of the mold
frame 26, and the fitting tab 26d can be fitted into the fitting
hole 24d.
[0069] While each of the fitting hole 24d and the fitting tab 26d
is disposed on all sides in an outer peripheral portion of the
backlight 40A, the number of fitting holes 24d and the fitting tabs
26d disposed in each side is not limited. A plurality of fitting
holes 24d and fitting tabs 26d needs to be disposed in each side so
as to resist use environment of the display device 100A.
[0070] Subsequently, a typical method of assembling a backlight
will be described. First, components of the backlight 40A are
mounted in the rear frame 12, and the mold frame 26 is disposed
outside the rear frame 12. When the fitting tab 12c of the rear
frame 12 is fitted into the fitting hole 26c of the mold frame 26,
the mold frame 26 is fixed to the rear frame 12 to complete a
typical backlight. However, the structure is lacking in rigidity as
it is, so that the flange frame 24 is fixed to the mold frame 26 to
increase the rigidity. This enables the backlight 40A with high
rigidity to be achieved.
[0071] Subsequently, a method of fixing the flange frame 24 will be
described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flange frame 24 is fitted
outside the mold frame 26 from a back surface side of the rear
frame 12. More specifically, when the fitting tab 26d of the mold
frame 26 is fitted into the fitting hole 24d of the flange frame
24, the flange frame 24 is fixed to the mold frame 26 while
positioning of the mold frame 26 and the flange frame 24 in the
vertical direction in the paper-surface of each of FIGS. 3 and 4,
or in the thickness direction of the backlight 40A, is
performed.
[0072] In addition, the lower end portion of the sidewall portion
26a of the mold frame 26 is brought into contact with the contact
portion 24e of the flange, frame 24 to perform positioning of the
backlight 40A in its thickness direction. This enables the display
device 100A including the backlight 40A with high rigidity to be
achieved as with the first preferred embodiment.
[0073] As described above, the display device 100A according to the
second preferred embodiment includes the contact portion 24e to
allow a lower end portion of the mold frame 26 to be brought into
contact with the bottom wall portion 24b extending inward from the
lower end portion of the sidewall portion 24a of the flange frame
24, so that positioning of the mold frame 26 is performed.
[0074] This further enables positioning of the backlight 40A in its
thickness direction, so that the protective member 1 and the
backlight 40A can be firmly and accurately fixed to each other.
Third Preferred Embodiment
[0075] Subsequently, a display device 100B according to a third
preferred embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is s sectional view
of the display device 100B according to the third preferred
embodiment. In the third preferred embodiment, the same component
as that described in each of the first and second preferred
embodiments is designated as the same reference sign to eliminate
duplicated description.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display device 100B according
to the third preferred embodiment includes a display panel 3, a
protective member 1, and a backlight 40B. The backlight 40B
includes a joint member 5, a mold frame 36 as a first frame, a
cushion 7, an optical sheet 8, a light guide plate 9, a reflection
sheet 10, a light source (not illustrated), a rear frame 12, and a
flange frame 34 as a second frame.
[0077] The mold frame 36 constitutes at least a side surface of the
backlight 40B except a back surface of the backlight 40B. More
specifically, the mold frame 36 is formed in a rectangular frame
shape. In addition, the mold frame 36 includes a sidewall portion
36a, a flange portion 36b, a flange portion 36c, a fitting hole
36d, a fitting tab 36e, and a recessed portion 36f. The flange
portion 36b extends outward from an upper end portion of the
sidewall portion 36a. The flange portion 36c extends inward below
the upper end portion of the sidewall portion 36a. As described
above, the mold frame 36 constitutes the side surface and a front
surface of the backlight 40B with the sidewall portion 36a and the
flange portion 36c, respectively.
[0078] The fitting hole 36d is provided at a portion facing the
fitting tab 12c of the rear frame 12, in the sidewall portion 36a,
and the fitting tab 12c can be fitted into the fitting hole 36d.
The fitting tab 36e is provided in the periphery of the fitting
hole 36d in the sidewall portion 36a, and is more specifically
provided above the fitting hole 36d in the sidewall portion 36a so
as to project outward from the sidewall portion 36a.
[0079] The recessed portion 36f is provided between the flange
portion 36b and the fitting tab 36e. More specifically, the
recessed portion 36f is formed in a region surrounded by the flange
portion 36b and the fitting tab 36e in an outer peripheral surface
of the mold frame 36.
[0080] The flange frame 34 holds the display panel 3, a touch
panel, components of the backlight 40B, the protective member 1,
and the like. The flange frame 34 is formed of a metal formed part.
The flange frame 34 may be also formed of a material containing
metal other than the metal formed part. As the metal, aluminum and
magnesium are available, for example.
[0081] The flange frame 34 is formed in a rectangular frame shape.
In addition, the flange frame 34 includes a sidewall portion 34a, a
flange portion 34b, and a screw hole 34c. The sidewall portion 34a
is provided along an inner peripheral portion of the flange frame
34, and is formed so as to be able to come into contact with the
recessed portion 36f. More specifically, a portion facing the
recessed portion 36f in the sidewall portion 34a, or a leading end
portion of the sidewall portion 34a, is formed in a substantially
identical size to that of the recessed portion 36f, and thus can
come into contact with the recessed portion 36f.
[0082] Each of the fitting tab 36e and the recessed portion 36f may
be provided along throughout an outer peripheral portion of the
mold frame 36, and a plurality of the fitting tabs 36e and the
recessed portions 36f may be provided on each side in the outer
peripheral portion of the mold frame 36.
[0083] As described above, the display device 100B according to the
third preferred embodiment includes: the display panel 3; the
protective member 1 that is disposed on the display surface 3a side
of the display panel 3, and that has the end portion extending
outward from the end portion of the display panel 3; the mold frame
36 that is disposed on an opposite side to the display surface 3a
of the display panel 3, and that constitutes at least the side
surface of the backlight 40B except the back surface of the
backlight 40B; and the flange frame 34 that is disposed outside the
mold frame 36, and that includes the sidewall portion 34a in
contact with the mold frame 36, and a peripheral portion extending
outward from an upper end portion of the sidewall portion, the
peripheral portion being fixed to a peripheral portion of the
protective member 1.
[0084] Thus, the mold frame 36 constituting at least the side
surface of the backlight 40B except the back surface of the
backlight 40B is held by the flange frame 34, and the protective
member 1 is fixed to the flange frame 34, so that warp and
deformation of the protective member 1 can be reduced. This enables
the protective member 1 and the backlight 40B to be firmly
fixed.
[0085] While warp or deformation occurs in the display panel 3 to
cause display unevenness, the warp and deformation of the display
panel 3 can be reduced by reducing warp and deformation of the
protective member 1, thereby enabling display unevenness to be
reduced.
[0086] Subsequently, a modification of the third preferred
embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a sectional view
illustrating a state before a screw 35 is attached to a display
device 1000 according to a first modification of the third
preferred embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a
state before the screw 35 is attached to a display device 100D
according to a second modification of the third preferred
embodiment.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a backlight 40C of the display
device 100C according to the first modification of the third
preferred embodiment further includes a screw hole 34c and a screw
35 in contrast to the backlight 40B. The screw hole 34c is provided
at a portion in the flange frame 34 on a side opposite to the
display surface 3a, and is more specifically provided in a lower
end portion of the flange frame 34. While the sidewall portion 34a
is in contact with the recessed portion 36f, the screw 35 is
screwed into the screw hole 34c from the side opposite to the
display surface 3a, and more specifically from a back surface side
of the display panel 3, and then the flange frame 34 is fixed to a
member to be attached (not illustrated). The member to be attached
is a housing for attaching the display device, for example.
[0088] Thus, the display device 1000 can be fixed to the member to
be attached while positioning of the mold frame 36 and the flange
frame 34 in the vertical direction in the paper-surface of FIG. 6,
or in the thickness direction of the backlight 40C, is
performed.
[0089] Subsequently, the second modification of the third preferred
embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a backlight
40D of the display device 100D according to the second modification
of the third preferred embodiment further includes a screw hole 34c
and a screw 35 in contrast to the backlight 40B. The screw hole 34c
is provided in an outer peripheral portion of the flange frame 34.
While the sidewall portion 34a is in contact with the recessed
portion 36f, the screw 35 is screwed into the screw hole 34c from
an outer peripheral side of the flange frame 34, and then the
flange frame 34 is fixed to a member to be attached (not
illustrated).
[0090] Thus, the display device 100D can be fixed to the member to
be attached while positioning of the mold frame 36 and the flange
frame 34 in the vertical direction in the paper-surface of FIG. 7,
or in the thickness direction of the backlight 40D, is performed.
In addition, the flange frame 34 can be fixed from the side, so
that an operator can easily work.
[0091] While the screw holes 34c are disposed on all sides in the
outer peripheral portion of the flange frame 34 in the first and
second modifications of the third preferred embodiment, the number
of screw holes 34c disposed in each side is not limited. A
plurality of screw holes 34c needs to be disposed in each side so
as to resist use environment of each of the display devices 100C,
100D.
[0092] In the present invention, each of the embodiments may be
freely combined, or appropriately modified, within the scope of the
invention, and any of the embodiments may be eliminated.
[0093] While the invention has been shown and described in detail,
the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not
restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications
and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of
the invention.
* * * * *